Gov Evers’ broadband veto riles rural Wisconsin Republicans

A disagreement over who should get free access to high speed internet in some parts of Wisconsin likely means no one is getting a new connection anytime soon. Gov Tony Evers (D-WI) last week vetoed SB 365, which would have expanded high speed internet service in rural parts of the state. The governor said expanding broadband access is one of his top priorities, but scuttled the plan because he doesn’t like how Republican lawmakers were going about it. “The Broadband Expansion Grant Program provides funding for broadband infrastructure in areas where private sector investment is insufficient,” Evers wrote in his veto message. “[The] statutory challenge process will delay the delivery of critical broadband services to rural parts of Wisconsin.” But Sen Howard Marklein (R-WI) said Evers’ veto will actually hurt rural communities across Wisconsin. “This is just another example of the Governor’s preference for urban cities over the rural people I serve,” Marklein said Monday. “The Governor decided that he would rather be able to send these funds to places like the city of Milwaukee and other cities that already have multiple telecommunications providers and options for consumers.  He also wants to be able to send these funds to communities that may have a federal project starting soon, rather than sending it to a community that has no options in sight.” Gov Evers said he’s already pledged $280 million for broadband internet projects, though much of the money remains unspent and undesignated.